Doc Rivers doesn’t fault David West for choice

Author(s):

Dan Duggan

WALTHAM — Doc Rivers wanted David West to join the Celtics as much as anyone. But Rivers handled rejection more diplomatically than guard Ray Allen.

The Celts nearly landed West in a sign-and-trade with New Orleans before the season, but the two-time All-Star power forward instead chose to sign with the Indiana Pacers, who will face the C’s at the Garden tonight.

At the time, Allen believed West chose the Pacers over the Celtics for financial reasons. West signed a two-year, $20 million deal with Indiana, while the C’s were reportedly offering the 31-year-old a three-year, $24.5 million contract.

In a preseason interview with ESPNBoston.com, Allen alleged that West put money above winning by signing with the Pacers. West, though, has said his decision was influenced by the potential of Indiana’s young roster compared to a Celtics team making a final championship push.

“I had no problem with it. He had two good decisions,” Rivers said. “He could look at us as a team that was trying to win it right now, and then he has a team at Indiana that is going be in the thick of it as well, and they’re young and he can grow with them. To me, he was in a win-win situation.”

Ray due back

Allen missed yesterday’s practice as he continues to recover from the flu, which kept him out of Wednesday’s game against New Jersey. Rivers expects Allen to play tonight, but officially termed the guard’s status as questionable.

Mickael Pietrus’ surgically repaired right knee has looked strong in pregame workouts with the C’s strength and conditioning coaches. He is expected to make his debut next Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

“He’s a great workout guy right now,” Rivers said. “That’s what we’re calling him. He’s doing skeleton (offensive sets) already. He’s been doing that. He looks great, by the way. I think next week when we have the couple of days (off), I think he’ll be able to get out on the floor and do something active.”

No fifth wheel

The Celtics want the fifth option behind Allen, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to be able to space the floor with shooting. Glen Davis tried to fill that role, but it never quite worked.

Davis’ replacement, Brandon Bass, has filled it perfectly in his first seven games with the Celtics. Acquired in a preseason trade for Davis with Orlando, Bass has hit an astounding 66 percent of his shots from 16-23 feet.

That ranks second in the NBA among power forwards behind Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and is nearly 20 percent better than Bass’ mark last season with the Magic. He credits the improvement to playing with so many weapons.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this group,” Bass said. “To play with Kevin Garnett, Paul, Ray Allen, Rondo — ain’t nobody worrying about me. I’m flying under the radar, and I want to just stay like that.”

‘Key’ presence

Keyon Dooling has been a welcome presence in the locker room. The 12-year veteran is one of those players who seems to know everyone in the league, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering he’s the first vice president of the Players Association.

“Keyon is a coach,” Rivers said.

“It was great, he did something late in the game (on Wednesday). I can’t remember exactly what it was, but it was something on offense. He asked me should he remind (his teammates). He was on the bench and he ran out there, and you could see him getting them together. He definitely has it in him.”